Inside this gluten-free Portland dining guide, I'm sharing why Portland, Oregon is by far the most celiac-friendly city I've ever been to in the USA. And all of the wonderful gluten-free food that awaits you!
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure page for more information. Thanks! Guide last updated April 2023.
About This Portland Gluten-Free Guide
After hearing so many people talk about Portland being the most celiac friendly city in the USA, I had to see (and eat) for myself. I also had a deep desire to get back to the west coast after first exploring it on our honeymoon road trip in 2016.
Portland has been on my vision board for the last year and a half. So when my sister-in-law was looking to go somewhere in February for some hiking and exploring, I suggested Portland, and we started planning!
I went to Portland a few days early to scout out the gluten-free scene so I could report back to you all about it. Our trip to Portland included exploring the Mount Hood area and Cannon Beach as well. I'm working on a blog post with our full itinerary and food for those days, so stay tuned!
But since this post is all about the food, here's a look at why Portland is a celiac's paradise, and some things to be aware of if you're planning to visit.
Gluten-Free Portland Guide
NOTE & DISCLAIMER
Everyone’s experience with celiac disease is different. Dedicated gluten-free facilities are usually the safest places to go, and you’ll see those listed here. For non-dedicated facilities and restaurants, I only recommend places I have visited or where clear protocols are in place for celiac diners.
My experience is not your experience. This is a guide – a list of suggestions to point you in the right direction. Restaurants can change. Use your own judgment and only eat where you feel safe doing so.
- About This Portland Gluten-Free Guide
- Gluten-Free Portland Guide
Here is a map of all of the places for gluten-free food in Portland I mention in this blog post. They are color coded for 100% gluten-free and celiac friendly.
About Portland Oregon
Portland (abbreviated PDX) is the largest city in the state of Oregon. Local artisans, small shops, and food trucks abound, and the culture is very inviting and accepting of others. It's not far from the Oregon coast, and also not far from Mount Hood's hiking and outdoor activities. Portland has multiple green spaces and many people focus on biking and walking. Portland's motto of "Keep Portland Weird" is a testament to the funky vibe of this fun city along the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. You can read more about visiting Portland on their city's tourism website right here.
Is Portland safe to visit for celiacs?
First off, Portland is a city. And like any city around the globe, you have to be smart, have your wits about you, and be prepared. However, I will say it was very obvious that Portland is struggling during my time there in February 2023.
It's no secret Portland has been in the news for many reasons, and unfortunately, one of these reasons is the homeless epidemic. It truly is so sad to see so many people struggling. Every few blocks we would walk by tents pitched on the sidewalk of people living in them. Upon leaving my hotel the first morning, I hadn't walked 2 blocks when I was asked for money. Stores and shops have signs saying "No cash in the till" or only accept credit cards. A donut shop we went to had a security guard letting only 1 group of people in at a time, and one of the gluten-free businesses I visited was recently broken into - for the second time.
It's sad to not only know people are struggling, but to see evidence of it so clearly in the homeless population and that robberies are so common. Portland has a lot of inner work to do, and it was tough to see evidence of that in plain sight.
But what I will say is how kind the people of Portland are to one another, and to visitors. Every time I entered a store or a shop, I was greeted with a friendly hello. Complete strangers were willing to help me while navigating the bus or lightrail systems. People said "thank you" to the bus drivers upon exiting, and greeted them when they got on. I saw a barista in a local coffee shop go out of her way to help a homeless man who had an injury on his hand. The city itself is very open, inclusive, and accepting of others. I even met someone with celiac disease within minutes of my arrival, and spoke to him for most of my ride from the airport on the lightrail (Hi Cole, if you're reading this!)
I'm sharing this information with you NOT to speak ill of Portland (Not at all, I still think it's an awesome place and would love to go back to Oregon!) but because I want you to have the whole picture of what to expect when visiting. The food scene is phenomenal. It's a funky city with so much to eat and drink here, with a fun vibe, and a very inviting people. But I didn't feel comfortable going out at night by myself, so I stuck to exploring during the day time. This was totally fine and I had no issues. I felt safe during the day exploring all over the city and had no problems.
If you're planning to visit, I would suggest tacking on some other fun stuff with it, like hiking or exploring the surrounding areas, like Cannon Beach, Columbia River Gorge, or Mount Hood. That's what we did and I loved it!
How To Find Gluten-Free Food in Portland
Normally I'd say finding gluten-free food when you're traveling can be difficult, but I'd say it's the opposite for Portland! But a resource I used primarily during my time here to find restaurants and food was Find Me Gluten Free.
Besides Google Maps to navigate city streets and figure out the times of the tram or bus lines, I was on my Find Me Gluten Free app multiple times a day during my time in Portland and found it so helpful. My guide here will give you a list of places to begin, but with close to 50 gluten-free facilities in Portland, I couldn't visit them all during my time there! That's why I highly recommend downloading their app so you can keep your meals going strong when searching for gluten-free food in Portland.
FindMeGlutenFree can help you get an idea of what gluten-free restaurants, bakeries, and safe menus are available in Portland. And with a Premium Subscription, you can filter by most celiac friendly, see what's open now (so you don't drive all the way to a bakery for breakfast and discover it's closed), and what's gluten-free in the direction you're headed. It's like Google Maps, but a gluten-free version. And no Ads!
I've been a FMGF user for over a decade, but I think their Premium version is much more effective. Take $5 off a Premium Subscription with the code THENOMADICFITZ to make your trip to Portland easier!
Dining Out In Portland With Celiac Disease
There is a significantly strong awareness of celiac disease and food allergies in Portland. However, as I recommend to all of my clients for dining out with celiac, you want to make sure to clarify what gluten-free means when you order, especially in a non-dedicated restaurant.
Unfortunately, due to the presence of fad dieters, gluten-friendly and gluten sensitive menus, people with celiac disease struggle to be taken seriously when dining in restaurants.
Based on my 14 years with celiac disease and my multiple restaurant allergen trainings, I suggest using the words severe gluten allergy when dining out, and then clarifying celiac disease. Also, be sure to tell your server about how you need your food prepared to prevent cross-contact.
I am drooling just thinking back to all of the Portland gluten-free food I had during my 10 day trip. Now, like all of my guides, this isn't going to be a list of EVERY single restaurant with gluten-free options in Portland. Portland has close to 50 gluten-free facilities (Insane!) but I know the reason you're reading this is because you want to know where I'd recommend and which places you can't miss!
The places listed here will be inside the city of Portland itself. Please check back to the Google Maps above so you know where in Portland these places are located, or check in the description listed underneath each place. Also, please be mindful that many gluten-free places in Portland specifically are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. So plan accordingly!
So let's dive in!
100% Gluten-Free Bakeries in Portland
Petunia's Pies and Pastries: 100% Gluten-free and Vegan
This was the first place I visited when I arrived in Portland. And immediately loved it so much, I went back again! Petunia's is a 100% gluten-free and vegan bakery located in downtown Portland serving up baked goods, sweets, Coava coffee (a local Portland coffee chain), and some savory items too.
What I loved most about this place was the staff, who were so inviting and friendly. Shoutout to Demetri and Felicia for being lovely, and for the free cookies on Valentine's Day. Thank you so much!
Here you can take baked goods to go or sit down and enjoy them in the bakery. The baked goods here are quite good, and the lattes are equally warm and comforting. But remember, since this is a vegan bakery, you may notice a difference in the texture of baked goods (more crumbly), and the only milk options will be non-dairy. I tried the cinnamon roll (yum!) and the olive oil orange cake (double yum!) and had an almond milk latte both times I visited.
The cafe has a small seating area with tables and chairs if you decide to dine in. Most people tended to get their baked goods to go. I chose to sit down and relax for a bit. I also really liked Petunia's proximity to Powell's Bookstore, so it was a great place to stop for a breakfast pastry and coffee before getting lost in the aisles of books at Powell's!
For more information about Petunia's, check out their website or social media.
New Cascadia Traditional
This was by far the bakery I heard the most hype about, and was most interested to visit! I've been to many gluten-free bakeries before and definitely agree this one takes the cake (ha) for some of the best baked goods I tried while in Portland.
New Cascadia is a 100% gluten-free bakery located across the Willamette river, close to the Ladd's Addition neighborhood. They have dine in and to go options. Upon entering I could see what all the fuss was about from the many scrumptious looking baked goods behind the counter. They have a nice, bright open space with plenty of seating to sit down for coffee, baked goods, sandwiches, or lunch. Plus, they make lots of gluten-free bread products, including gluten-free bagels, so I knew as a native New Yorker I had to give them a try.
I opted for a matcha latte and an everything bagel with cream cheese to start my morning. Both were really good. But the bagel didn't knock my socks off. Now, to be fair, I've made gluten-free bagels from scratch, and grew up eating bagels in my pre-celiac days on Long Island. My standard for bagels is very high. And while these were not Modern Bread & Bagel bagels, they were still extremely good. They were more crispy than chewy, with solid everything seasoning flavor.
Since I knew I couldn't leave there without trying more of their baked goods, I got two more to go. First, a maple bar donut, which I had heard was a famous style of donut to the Pacific Northwest (sweet & yummy) and a cheddar bacon chive biscuit (droolworthy). Both of these baked goods had excellent texture, didn't crumble, and yummy flavor. I would have definitely gone back to New Cascadia (they also do PIZZA POP UPS) had it been closer to where I was staying!
Without a doubt, this was my favorite gluten-free bakery I visited during my stay in Portland! For more information about New Cascadia, check out their website or social media.
Mikiko Mochi Donuts
Mikiko Mochi is a 100% gluten-free donut shop. It was an adorable stop I stumbled upon during a day of exploring the Hawthorne neighborhood & surrounding areas across the Willamette River on the east side of Portland. All of their donuts are both gluten and dairy-free. But what was really neat about this place is their flavors are super funky and eclectic, like black sesame, lapsang maple bacon, and matcha strawberry!
This is a very tiny shop, with only two small areas by the windows to sit down. It got crowded very quickly as a line was accumulating there - it was Valentine's Day and everyone wanted to get their sweets! The donuts arrive in a small box and most people were getting them to go (as I did).
I got the lapsang maple bacon and the passionfruit curd donuts. Both were, truly decadent and I loved eating them! Excellent texture like that of Kane's Donuts we have here in Boston. There's no way to tell they were dairy-free. The passionfruit curd was sheer perfection and was bursting with passionfruit flavor without being sour. I didn't eat these donuts until much later at my hotel and then wish I had gotten two more. The balance of the maple bacon with the hint of lapsang was also, top notch!
For more information about Mikiko Mochi donuts, visit their website or their social media.
Gluten-Free Gem
Gluten-Free Gem is a 100% gluten-free bakery in the Lloyd district of Portland, on the east side of the Willamette River. As of January 2023 they are requiring masks for all guests and are not doing any dine-in options, only to go. We opted to grab some breakfast baked goods here before heading to the Columbia River Gorge, as it was on the way.
They have a variety of gluten-free baked goods, sweets, and savory items too. When I saw a soft pretzel I knew I had to try it, because when do we ever get to have soft pretzels? Exactly, never!
I will say that both of these baked goods were quite tasty. The only difficulty was that the pretzel would have been much better if it had been heated up. A tendency with gluten-free baked goods is that they harden over time. But texture wise, it was great and just the right amount of salt. I also got a raspberry chocolate chip muffin because the combination intrigued me. It was wonderful, and also huge! You can't really tell from the photo below, but it was so big I couldn't even finish it in one sitting.
I think the baked goods here were very good, and they also had many dairy-free options too. Again, this isn't a place you can sit down and eat your gluten-free food, so the only option is to get their stuff to go. But if you're starting the day, they'd be a wise choice so you can have something to eat, and maybe pack a snack for the rest of your day exploring.
For more information about Gluten-Free Gem, check out their website or social media.
100% Gluten-Free Restaurants in Portland
For all the gluten-free bakeries we have in the United States, I wish we had as many restaurants. Too often we can find a place to get a sweet treat, but not always an entire meal. This is one of the reasons I fell in love with Portland so much - there were of course, plenty of bakery options, but more than that, there were so many restaurants to choose from that were celiac safe.
During my entire 10 day stay in the Portland area, I never got glutened, and predominantly ate at 100% gluten-free places, because it was so easy to! In addition to gluten-free labels and high awareness of celiac disease, I also noticed many restaurants would label other allergens, vegan items, or paleo items as well. Portland makes dining out easy, and I only wish that so many other US cities could follow suit!
Harlow
Harlow is a 100% gluten-free cafe and juice bar with two locations in Portland - one in the Northwest District, and the other in Hawthorne. They have to go or dine in options and are open 7 days a week. Upon a recommendation from a fellow celiac, I heard the location in Hawthorne was the original and had a better atmosphere, so I went there and met up with a friend.
Harlow serves bowls, plates, sandwiches, smoothies, tea, and more. I opted for the Farmer's Vegetable scramble and it came with a vegan chipotle aioli that was so filling and yummy. Often when I'm traveling I end up craving vegetables so this was the perfect way to get my fix! It was super filling and I was so stuffed the rest of the day, I just ended up eating my leftovers from the night before with one of my Mikiko Mochi donuts for dinner. A truly hearty lunch: eggs, broccoli, potatoes, brown rice, avocado. Yum!
I have to give a big shoutout to Horace behind the counter who was friendly and welcoming, like all of the people I met in Portland. This cafe is the type of place that I would definitely go back to if I were in Portland: either to eat, to have a smoothie, or to do some work on my laptop.
For more information about Harlow, visit their website or check their social media pages.
Verde Cocina
Since I wasn't comfortable walking around Portland at night by myself, two nights I ordered takeout through Uber Eats. And the first night I arrived, I got food from Verde Cocina. This is a 100% gluten-free farm to table Mexican restaurant. They pride themselves on using seasonal, local ingredients and fusing this with Mexican flavors. And the results are absolutely scrumptious!
Verde Cocina has three locations with dine in and takeout options, but I ordered from the one in the Pearl District (Verde Cocina en la Perla). They have an extensive food menu, all of which is gluten-free, but they do offer beer & other drinks that are not gluten-free, so just be aware of that!
I had the steak salad, which the pieces of beef were super tender, with lots of fresh veggies, plus a side of chips and guacamole (because, duh!) The guacamole was excellent and the chips were perfectly crispy. It made for an excellent first meal in Portland after a long day of traveling. Plus I was able to use my Schar utensil kit I received as a free gift on the Celiac Cruise. I really enjoyed it!
My favorite part about ordering takeout on Uber Eats from here my first night in Portland was that I didn't have to worry about anything! I just placed the order on my app, and that was that. What a luxury! I still made sure to note it was for an allergy, but again, at a 100% gluten-free place, it's so nice to not have to worry, AND know the food is going to be both safe and tasty.
For more information about Verde Cocina, visit their website or check them out on social media.
Butterfly Belly
Another night in Portland when I was there solo I ordered from a different place on UberEats that was also 100% gluten-free. In fact, I loved the food here at Butterfly Belly so much, I ordered from there a second time!
Butterfly Belly is a 100% gluten-free Asian restaurant & bar in downtown Portland, just south of the Pearl District. They offer dine-in or takeout options (And I've heard do great karaoke on Friday nights!) with a variety of Asian dishes, including pho, pad thai, fried rice, egg rolls, curries, and other specialties.
Since I am a huge fan of pad thai after learning to make it in Thailand in 2019, I had to try it out. And I also got some of their eggrolls to go with it. The pad thai was excellent - definitely with the tastes and flavors I remember! So often I have found that pad thai ends up being disappointing when I find a restaurant that can serve it to me safely, but this one was truly so good I ate it all. And the eggrolls were crispy and scrumptious!
There were tons of Asian restaurants in Portland, and my husband and sister-in-law ended up having it a lot during our time in Portland. It was great that on the night they decided to get ramen takeout from a place that didn't offer gluten-free options, I ordered from Butterfly Belly on UberEats, so I could have noodles too, just gluten-free!
For more information about Butterfly Belly, check out their website. They don't have a social media (or one that I could find!)
Pollo Norte
Pollo Norte is a Mexican rotisserie chicken restaurant located between the Kerns and Laurelhurst neighborhoods on the east side of the Willamette River. It's just a few blocks walk from Mikiko Mochi donuts if you're looking for something sweet after your meal! All of the food at Pollo Norte is 100% gluten-free and the only gluten-containing items are their beers. If you're going here to eat it's for the rotisserie chicken, which is mouthwateringly tender and seasoned with achiote, sea salt, lime and chili. Not to mention they have multiple sides to choose from, an array of salsas, indoor and outdoor seating, plus takeout.
It was pretty quiet when I visited here for lunch, but the person who took my order was friendly and reiterated that everything is gluten-free, plus he offered some insight as to what sides he recommends. Feeling especially carby (Ha), I went with every celiac's two favorite grains: rice and potatoes. I also opted for a few salsas and fresh lime as well. I ate every bite that I could and was stuffed afterward!
Sometimes I've heard people complain about restaurants with a small menu or that only make certain things. And I disagree. When a restaurant has a very small menu, it means they do that one thing really well. I can see why Pollo Norte has such high ratings on Google: the food is fantastic. I think it would be fun to come back here with a group of people and in the evenings and weekends when it isn't actually raining in Portland. I'm sure the atmosphere is super fun!
For more information about Pollo Norte, visit their website or check their social media.
100% Gluten-Free Food Truck in Portland
There is a HUGE food truck (also called food carts) scene in Portland. You'll see them on street corners, grouped together as outdoor dining options, or just as stand alone food trucks. I've never seen so many of them! But this is a really neat option for dining - not only because you can meet up at one of the pods or collections of food trucks and have so much variety of food available for you and whoever is with you, but also because there is a strong presence of gluten-free food at many of these food trucks.
While I only made it to one particular food truck over in the Mississippi neighborhood of Portland, there are others to consider for amazing gluten-free food, especially Honey Butter Country Fare: a 100% gluten-free food truck serving up something we never get to have....FAIR FOOD. If I had more time and could make it over there, I would have. Next time for sure!
Desi PDX
Located in the Mississippi Marketplace (right next to Prost! German restaurant and bar) is the foodtruck DesiPDX, serving up 100% gluten-free food inspired by Indian spices and flavors. Their website states they are "bringing a modern take to classic Indian recipes." I enjoy Indian food, but find I can't always locate places that are celiac safe. So after hearing about this food cart and knowing there would be other food cart options for my husband and sister-in-law, we decided to make the trek up to the Mississippi neighborhood to try it out!
At this particular marketplace, there are picnic tables available under a covered area so you can sit outside and enjoy your meal, even if it is raining. Their menu includes snacks, plates, bowls, and platters, including items like seasonal dahl, (Yum, we ate so much dahl bhat while trekking in Nepal, just north of India), curries, slaws, chutneys, and proteins like pulled pork and chicken.
I opted for the Cardamom Chai Chicken after hearing rave reviews about it from my fellow celiac travel bloggers Sarah and Matt, and was not disappointed! They turned it into a customized platter with yellow rice, pickled vegetables, and slaw. The chicken drumsticks were so tender they melted in your mouth, with a sweet yet savory flavor and crispy skin. The rice was great, and I even liked the pickled veggies and slaw (something I usually don't enjoy). The flavors and spices here are really the star, and I loved this meal!
For more information about DesiPDX, visit their website or check out their social media.
100% Gluten-Free Breweries/Cideries in Portland
Groundbreaker & Salvi PDX
This place was without a doubt, one of my top favorites in Portland. I arrived right when they opened on a Wednesday afternoon and spent a few hours enjoying beers, pupusas, and conversation with the wonderful people at Groundbreaker and Salvi and cannot say enough great things about them!
Groundbreaker is a 100% gluten-free brewery located on the east side of the Willamette River close to Ladd's Addition neighborhood. They also have an in-house pop up known as SalviPDX for scrumptious gluten-free Salvadorian food, including pupusas (gluten-free flatbreads) and fried chicken!
This brewery is one of the first I had ever heard of that was 100% gluten-free (there are currently less than 20 gluten-free breweries in the entire USA!) And when I tried their certified gluten-free beers, I knew they had a knack for it because I really enjoyed what I was drinking!
As someone who was diagnosed in college and didn't drink alcohol until after I was 21, I had never really tasted beer other than a sip or two. And I didn't care for it. But when I tried the beers that Groundbreaker so generously sent my way in Massachusetts, I started to realize that maybe I did like beer, I just hadn't found the ones I liked yet!
This brewery offers you a chance at feeling "normal" again - walking up to the bar and ordering whatever is on tap that suits you, sitting down in one of their booths or tables, and then enjoying some gluten-free food too. It's the experience we often miss with celiac disease the most - just being able to fit in. And the team at Groundbreaker & Salvi give you that!
And if you can't make it to Groundbreaker, their beer can be found for purchase in Oregon, as well as Washington, California, Idaho, Michigan, Colorado, Massachusetts (heyo!) Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, New York City, New Jersey, and British Columbia & Alberta, Canada.
For more information about Groundbreaker visit their website or social media. Same for SalviPDX - their website is here and social media here.
Thank you Gloria, James, and Jesse for welcoming me with beer samples, and to Tony and Denise for the wonderful conversation and making such tasty pupusas. I couldn't eat the rest of the night I was so full! It was a pleasure hanging with you. You are doing the Lord's work with your gluten-free goodness!
Schilling Cider House
I LOVE a good hard cider. But 50 hard ciders on tap plus a 100% gluten-free kitchen with pub food? SIGN ME UP!
Schilling was a place I knew I couldn't miss upon visiting Portland. Unfortunately, like many places, they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but we made it back in time from the Oregon coast in time on our Sunday evening to visit! I immediately loved the vibe of this place - small and intimate, plenty of games to play, ciders, and yummy food you tend to crave when drinking.
Schilling Cider House is located in the Goat Blocks area of Portland, on the east side of the Willamette River. They also have a second ciderhouse location in Seattle, Washington (which I'll now be adding to my list when I make it to Seasttle). They offer full pours and flights, have an outdoor patio, and dogs are welcome too.
Tater tots. Grilled cheese sandwiches. Corndogs. So much yummy goodness!
This is the type of place where you feel so stuffed afterward you don't end up eating a real dinner (at least that's what happened to me) but I have zero regrets. We hung out and drank cider, sampled delicious comfort food, listened to 90's music, and played Uno. That's my idea of a good time!
Schilling also has cans available to go. For more information about Schilling Cider, visit their website or follow them on social media.
More 100% Gluten-Free Places
Like I mentioned earlier, there's SO MUCH gluten-free food in Portland, and I could only visit so many places during my time there. But rest assured, if you are planning a visit, there are more gluten-free restaurants & bakeries available to you!
A few 100% gluten-free places I really wanted to try out but missed were Kate's Ice Cream (They were closed, all plant based ice creams too!), Wild Thing PDX (Just didn't make it to this veggie-forward restaurant), and Honey Butter Country Fare (100% GF food truck with fair food like corndogs. YUM!)
Be sure to check Find Me Gluten Free for more places to continue your gluten-free Portland adventure. There's really a crazy amount of options - you won't be disappointed!
Celiac-Friendly Places in Portland
While I spent a few days in Portland on my own for hitting up as many 100% gluten-free spots as I could squeeze in, there were also a few days in Portland with my husband and sister-in-law where we went to non-GF restaurants. Because I'm not someone who only eats in dedicated restaurants, I wanted to share the other places I visited where I had a solid experience.
Please remember, these are not 100% gluten-free restaurants be sure to speak up, ask questions about cross-contact, and only do what you are comfortable with. If you are not sure how to do this, I walk you through it in my Restaurant Masterclass here.
Cheryl's on 12th
Cheryl's on 12th is an American restaurant in downtown Portland, just a short walk from Powell's Books. They are well known for breakfast and brunch, and we opted to visit for brunch on a Sunday morning. The restaurant is typically crowded but there's a lot of seating available (indoors only). They also have to go options.
They have a separate labeled gluten-free menu and their staff has allergen protocols in place for gluten-free orders. The server we had was extremely knowledgeable and explained every ingredient to me and how the food is prepared. I ordered a vegetable omelet with a side of avocado and red potatoes and a glass of orange juice. The food was decent and I didn't have any issues.
For more information about Cheryl's, visit their website or their social media.
Mox Boarding House
If you are looking for a bar that has an eclectic menu with dedicated fryers and TONS of games to play, Mox is the place for you!
Mox Boarding House is located on Burnside Avenue on the west side of the Willamette River not far from Providence Park. They are a restaurant and bar with a free game library so you can sit down to enjoy a meal, snacks, or drinks with friends or family while playing a game in a beautiful Parisian-inspired building. The menu had clearly labeled gluten-free and vegan options and lots of funky flavors and ingredients.
I enjoyed the broccilette appetizer over humus, an entire plate of french fries just because I could, and a local Washington cider from a dedicated tap line. The server was extremely knowledgeable, explained how they have dedicated fryers and protocols for gluten-free food. I felt very comfortable there. We played some quick board games and then continued on our day of exploring Portland.
For more information about Mox, visit their website or check their social media.
Teote The House Café
Teote is a Venezuelan inspired restaurant. They have 3 locations and I visited their House Café location in Southeast Portland, on the east side of the Willamette River. Reviews on Find Me Gluten Free were conflicting, so I spoke to the person who took my order (at the restaurant) and asked if all of their food/ingredients were gluten-free. She said yes. I was comfortable with this and ate there with no issues, explaining I had a gluten allergy and she confirmed everything was gluten-free. This is why it always pays to speak to the restaurant directly!
I've classified Teote on this guide under "Celiac friendly" as I'm not sure of the status of the other locations. Make sure to double check if you plan on eating there. But the food was delicious - the arepas were more crumbly than I was used to (but this could be because I'm used to Colombian arepas, which are a little different!) but the beef was tender, rice was filling, and the plantains were perfectly sweet. I love Hispanic food and left feeling very full and satisfied on our last night in Portland.
For more information about Teote, visit their website or contact them directly. It's tough to learn about their menu online unless you are ordering takeout.
My Top 3 Places For Portland Gluten-Free Food & Drink
If you only had 1 day in Portland to explore, these would be my go to places. And these are the places that if I was to return to Portland, I'd visit again in a heartbeat.
Groundbreaker: What's not to love about a 100% gluten-free brewery? And with SalviPDX serving gluten-free food too, you get the best of both worlds in a celiac safe environment.
New Cascadia: Their baked goods were my favorite out of all the bakeries I visited in Portland. Their bagels are yummy, sweets fantastic, and I'm still really curious about their pizza pop-ups they host on the weekends!
Butterfly Belly: Since getting Asian-inspired cuisine is so rare, getting to have it in a completely dedicated gluten-free kitchen is unheard of. Whether you go for pho, pad thai, or something else, you'll get to indulge in a special treat we don't often get to have.
Final Thoughts on Gluten-Free Portland
Portland is without a doubt incredible for gluten-free food and drink (as you can see from this guide!). I'd love to go back and incorporate Portland into a future vacation back to the coast or to explore more of the Pacific Northwest.
Looking for more celiac travel posts?
Avoid these five mistakes when dining out with celiac disease!
Flying somewhere and worried you'll be starving in an airport? Not to worry, this post on flying with celiac disease has you covered!
Do you have celiac AND IBS? I do too. Here's how I manage both when traveling.
Get my gluten-free travel guides to Boston, New York, Madrid, Buenos Aires (plus many more) here!
Have you been to Portland?
What's your favorite gluten-free place?
Let me know in the comments where I should visit next time I'm there!
Laura says
Thanks so much for this post! My boyfriend and I met in Portland in 2015 and will be visiting again this summer before one of the Alaska Celiac Cruises. So many amazing options in Portland!
Jennifer Fitzpatrick says
You are so welcome, Laura! I feel like this post doesn't scratch the surface of all the amazing options in Portland, but should give you many delicious options to start with! Have so much fun on the Celiac Cruise!
Ashley says
Thank you so much for all of these recommendations. I'm planning a trip to Portland, Mt. Hood, and the Columbia River gorge in a few weeks. Do you have any recommendations out near Mt. Hood?
Jennifer Fitzpatrick says
Hi Ashley! Thank you for reading. We only ate out at one restaurant during our time in Mount Hood so I don’t have any real insight for the area. Sorry! I’d check Find Me Gluten Free, as that’s what I did!